HUNTSVILLE,
Alabama – Huntsville Utilities President and CEO William C. Pippin is retiring effective May 1.

Utility spokesman Joe Gehrdes said Jay Stowe, currently chief operating officer, is scheduled to be introduced as the new chief executive following an April 29 joint meeting of the utility's electric, water and natural gas boards.

Stowe has worked for the city-owned utility since November 2005. He was promoted to chief operating officer, second in command to the CEO, in late 2009.

Pippin, who
has led the utility for 21 years, is scheduled to be honored for his
service at tonight's Huntsville City Council meeting.

Pippin went
to work for Huntsville Utilities in July 1985 and had stints as vice president
of operations and vice president of administrative services before being
promoted to the top job.

According to
a resolution on the council agenda, Pippin "has displayed exceptional leadership,
guiding Huntsville Utilities through several periods of explosive customer
growth and fundamental change." He also oversaw efforts to rebuild the power
grid following the devastating November 1989 and April 2011 tornadoes.

The City Council meets at 6 p.m. on the ground floor of Huntsville City Hall, 308 Fountain Circle.

Updated at 4:03 p.m. to add that Jay Stowe will be introduced as Huntsville Utilities' new CEO on April 29.

Updated at 3:15 p.m. to add that April 30 will be Pippin's last day as CEO, and that the utility board has scheduled an April 29 meeting to name his replacement.